Interior Ministry launches investigation into alleged illegal deprivation of freedom and violence against former journalist by UNM member

The Georgian Interior Ministry launched an investigation into alleged illegal deprivation of liberty and violence against a former journalist Tatia Samkharadze by the United National Movement party’s member Dimitri Chikovani, the Public Broadcaster announced on Saturday.

According to the reports by the POSTV channel, Chikovani held a  “secret” meeting with Samkharadze to discuss details of the “organised campaign” against Shalva Ramishvili, the host at the POSTV. 

Based on the information from the TV channel, Samkharadze and Chikovani came into a conflict with each other regarding the sum of money in exchange for the “campaign” against the POSTV host, after which Samkharadze was allegedly kidnapped by Chikovani. The law enforcement officers found the former journalist locked in the closet of the house where the meeting was held and another member of the UNM Petre Tsiskarishvili was also present on the spot, POSTV added.

Earlier in 2016, Samkharadze brought a civil case of sexual harassment against her former boss - Ramishvili.

An investigation has also been launched into possible illegal interference with the journalist's professional activities, the Special Investigation Service announced earlier today, after the UNM member Chikovani had physically assaulted the POSTV journalist Natia Beridze reporting with her camera crew at the scene of the accident.